PEOPLE have criticised Oxfordshire MP Robert Courts after he went to get an ice cream with his family.

Writing on Facebook the Witney MP said: “Went for a walk with the family in the beautiful spring weather at the weekend, Woodstock as ever looking beautiful in the sun.

"There are some fantastic small shops that are well worth visiting if you can: the kids (and their parents) love the ice creams and pastries at the wonderful Alfonso Gelateria, whilst if you’re after something for the Sunday roast, I can highly recommend the Woodstock Butchers.”

Commenting, some constituents were under the impression he had made a non-essential journey and had travelled out of his ‘local area’ - both banned by the Government in lockdown.

One person commented: “Does that mean we can all go out for a walkabout in neighbouring towns?”

But defending him, one person said that his home in Bladon was ‘local’ to Woodstock.

Mr Court said: “This is a misleading story based upon one misinformed social media comment.

“I went for a short walk to Woodstock with my wife and children from my home in Bladon. When in Woodstock, I took the opportunity to support a local business by buying ice creams for my family.

"Exercise is not only permitted but encouraged. Anyone questioning me for taking a perfectly legitimate walk with my family and supporting a local business while doing so is likely to have political motivations for doing so."

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